Strong thunderstorms moving towards D.C. area

UPDATE, 10:25 PM: Much of the activity is now on its way out of Prince George’s, Charles, and Stafford counties approaching the northern neck of Virginia and southern Maryland while weakening. While humidity has increased, temperatures have dropped from near 90 into the low-to-mid 70s.

There may be another area of storms that nears the area towards the pre-dawn hours - especially north and northeast of D.C. It is currently moving south-southeast out of northwest Pennsylvania and is on the intense side - Link: regional radar. Models suggest it should weaken. Follow @dcweatheralerts on Twitter for any late night warnings.

UPDATE, 9:45 PM: The heaviest storms are now exiting Fairfax county, Prince George’s county and the District and headed into central and southern Prince George’s county, Charles county, and northern Stafford county. Some gusty winds are along the leading edge of the storms, but lightning seems to be the worst impact. Unfortunately, new widely scattered power outages around the region are being reported.

(See earlier updates - no longer current after the jump)

Overview, 7:10 PM: A line of thunderstorms is likely to move through the D.C. area between 7 and 10 p.m. from northwest to southeast - although isolated may form out ahead of the main line. Heavy downpours, lightning and gusty winds are likely with these storms. While isolated damaging wind gusts are possible, widespread destructive winds like we experienced Friday night are not likely.

The storms may weaken a bit as they move southeastward. Note - though - while winds may not be terribly strong - modest gusts could still bring down limbs dislodged during Friday’s storms.

Earlier updates (no longer active)

UPDATE, 9:00 PM: Storms continue to progress from northwest to southeast through the region. None are severe, but putting down some heavy downpours especially in western Fairfax, central Prince William and central Fauquier county. The storms are producing quite a bit of lightning, and while there are some wind gusts to 30-40 mph, nothing destructive. All of this activity will slide southeast through the District, eastern Fairfax county, and southern Prince George’s county in the next hour or so before reaching Stafford county and southern Maryland.

UPDATE, 8:15 PM: Strong to isolated severe storms continue moving southeast through north and west suburbs. The strongest activity stretches from southwest Montgomery county through central Loudoun county. It is moving east southeast at 30 mph and should reach western Fairfax county (Herndon and Reston) around 8:30-8:45 and Vienna and the west part of the beltway closer to 9 p.m.

Jason is The Washington Post’s weather editor and Capital Weather Gang's chief meteorologist. He earned a master's degree in atmospheric science and spent 10 years as a climate change science analyst for the U.S. government. He holds the Digital Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association.